Stop block assembly for railway car roller bearing journal box

ABSTRACT

TO LIMIT RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CONCAVE INNER SURFACE O FTHE BOTTOM WALL OF A RAIL JOURNAL BOX AND AN AXLE JOURNAL ASSEMBLY THEREIN, A STOP BLOCK ASSEMBLY IS SECURED TO THE BOTTOM WALL, PRIOR TO INSERTION OF THE AXLE JOURNAS ASSEMBLY IN THE JOURNAL BOX, A CAP SCREW IS INSERTED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE JOURNAL BOX THROUGH AN APERATURE IN ITS BOTTOM WALL WITH THE THREADED END PROJECTING THEREBELOW. AFTER INSERTION OF THE AXLE JOURNAL ASSEMBLY IN THE JOURNAL BOX AN ARCUATE STOP BLOCK HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE TRANSVERSE SLOT IS INSERTED UNDERNEATH THE AXLE JOURNAL ASSEMBLY AND UNDERNEATH THE HEAD OF THE CAP SCREW . THE UNDER SURFACE OF THE STOP BLOCK HAS LESS CONVEXITY THAN THE CONCAVITY OF THE INNER SURFACE OF THE BOTTOM WALL SO THAT WHEN A LOCKNUT ON THE PROJECTING END OF THE CAP SCREW IS TIGHTENED, THE JUXTAPOSED SURFACES ARE BROUGHT INTO INTIMATE CONTACT. FLEXING OF THE STOP BLOCK IS FACILITATED BY GROVING ITS UPPER SURFACE ADJACENT THE SIDES OF THE SLOT . THE HEAD OF THE CAPSCREW FITS INTO A SOCKET IN THE STOP BLOCK TO PREVENT RELATIVE TURNING WHEN THE LOCKNUT IS TIGHTENED. THIS ALSO PREVENTS ACCIDENTAL REMOVAL OF THE STOP BLOCK SHOULD THE LOCKNUT BECOME LOOSE. MODIFICATIONS INCLUDE ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLICATIONS TION OF THE CAP SCREW FROM UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM WALL ECCENTRICALLY AND CENTRALLY OF AN OPENING THEREIN LARGE ENOUGH TO RECEIVE THE HEAD OF THE CAP SCREW. A SHOULDER DEPENDING FROM THE UNDER SURFACE OF THE BLOCK ENTERS THE LARGE OPENING TO LOCATE THE STOP BLOCK AND TO ELIMINATE SHEAR FORCES ON THE BODY OF TH E CAP SCREW RESULTING FROM IMPACT ON THE STOP BLOCK BY THE HOUSING OF THE ROLLER BEARING. THE STOP BLOCK MAY BE HELD IN PLACE BY A &#34;HUCKBOLT&#34; PIN HAVING A HEXAGONAL HEAD OR A ROUND HEAD WITH LOCKING GROVES TO WHICH A METAL COLLAR IS APPLIED BY A SUITABLE TOOL.

R. E. NADHERNY STOP BLCK ASSEMBLY FOR RAILWAY CAR ROLLER BEARING JOURNAL BOX June 20, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 28 1971 3,671,091 June 1972 R. E. NADHERNY STOP BLCK ASSEMBLY FOR RAILWAY CAR ROLLER BEARING JOURNAL BOX Flled May 28 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 3,671,091 June 20, 1972 R. E. NADHERNY STOP BLCK ASSEMBLY FOR RAILWAY CAR ROLLER BEARING JOURNAL BOX Flled May 28, 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 20, 1972 R. E. NADHERNY STOP BLCK ASSEMBLY FOR RAILWAY CAR ROLLER BEARING JOURNAL BOX 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Flled May 28, 1971 United States Patent U.S. Cl. 308-40 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE To limit relative movement between the concave inner surface of the bottom wall of a railway journal box and an axle journal assembly therein, a stop block assembly is secured to the bottom wall. Prior to insertion of the axle journal assembly in the journal box, a cap screw is inserted from the inside of the journal box through an aperture in its bottom wall with the threaded end projecting therebelow. After insertion of the axle journal assembly in the journal box an arcuate stop block having an intermediate transverse slot is inserted underneath the axle journal assembly and underneath the head of the cap screw. The under surface of the stop block has less convexity than the concavity of the inner surface of the bottom wall so that when a locknut on the projecting end of the cap screw is tightened, the juxtaposed surfaces are brought into intimate contact. Flexing of the stop block is facilitated by grooving its upper surface adjacent the sides of the slot. The head of the cap screw fits into a socket in the stop block to prevent relative turning when the locknut is tightened. This also prevents accidental removal of the stop block should the locknut become loose. Modifications include arrangements for application of the cap screw from underneath the bottom wall eccentrically and centrally of an opening therein large enough to receive the head of the cap screw. A shoulder depending from the under surface of the stop block enters the large opening to locate the stop block and to eliminate shear forces on the body of the cap screw resulting from impact on the stop block by the housing of the roller bearing. The stop block may be held in place by a Huckbolt pin having a hexagonal head or a round head with looking grooves to which a metal collar is applied by a suitable tool.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 21,710, filed Mar. 23, 1970, now abandoned.

A stop block assembly for integral journal boxes for roller bearing freight car application is disclosed in A.A.R. Manual at page D-62C-.-1969. This assembly comprises a centrally threaded arcuate stop block for application to the concave inner surface of the bottom wall of the journal box. A cap screw is inserted from underneath the journal box through an aperture in its bottom wall and is screwed into the threaded opening in the stop block to hold it in place. Often the cap screw comes loose or its threads are stripped. These failures are due to lack of conformity between juxtaposed surfaces of the stop block and the journal box.

Accordingly, among the objects of this invention are: To provide for conforming a stop block to the juxtaposed upper surface of the bottom Wall of a railway car roller bearing jounrnal box; to hold the stop block in place by a cap screw applied from inside the journal box before the axle journal assembly is inserted, the cap screw being arranged to receive a locknut on its threaded downwardly projecting end below the journal box; to provide a transverse slot intermediate the ends of the stop block to ice receive the cap screw; to provide the stop bloclc with less convexity than the concavity of the bottom wall of the journal box and to groove the upper side of the stop block along the sides of the slot to facilitate flexing of the stop block when the locknut is tightened; to provide limited area engagement between the ends of the stop block and the bearing assembly; to prevent relative turning movement between the stop \block and the cap screw when the locknut is tightened; to provide an interlock between the stop block and the head of the cap screw to make disengagement of the stop block and cap screw retaining means diflicult; to introduce the cap screw from underneath the bottom wall of the journal box through an opening large enough to receive the head of the cap screw; to hold the cap screw in place either eccentrically or concentrically of the opening in the bottom wall of the journal box; and to employ a Huckbolt pin for holding the stop block in place on the bottom Wall of the journal box.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a railway car journal box and axle journal assembly in which this invention is embodied, certain parts being shown in elevation. FIG. 2. is a perspective view of a stop block embodying this invention. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along line 33 of "FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along line 5- 5 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view, similar to FIG. 5, and shows a modified construction. FIG. 7 is a top plan view, taken generally along line 7-7 of FIG. *6. FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a generally horizontal sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8, and shows how the stop block and cap screw are assembled in the railway car journal box. FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 6, and shows a further modification of the stop block assembly. FIG. 12 is a horizontal view taken generally along line ;12-12 of FIG. l l. FIG. 13

is a vertical sectional view taken generally along line 13 13 of FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a generally horizontal view taken along line 1414 of FIG. 11. FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional view, similar to FIG. 13, and showing a further modification. FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the stop block secured in position by a Huckbolt pin having a hexagonal head. FIG. 17 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 17'17 of FIG. 16. FIG. 18- is a generally horizontal sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 16. FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the stop block secured in position by a Huckbolt pin having a round head. 'FIG. 21 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 21-21 of FIG. 2.0. FIG. 22 is a generally horizontal sectional view takenalong line 22- 22 of FIG. 21. FIG. 23 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 20.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference character 10 designates, generally, a railway car journal box of conventional construction that is arranged to receive an axle journal assembly which is indicated, generally, at 11. The axle journal assembly 11 includes an axle 12 and a roller bearing that is indicated, generally, at 13. The roller bearing 13 includes an outer race 14 having a convex outer surface 15. The roller bearing 13 underlies an adapter 16 which is suitably guided on opposite sides in the journal box 10. The adapter 16 underlies a top wall 17 of the journal box 10 which also includes vertical side walls 18 and 19 and a bottom wall 20/which has a concave inner surface 21. As shown more clearly in FIG. 1 the bottom wall 20 extends outwardly and upwardly to provide an end wall extension 22 having a lid opening 23. An access op n ns 24 s. pro ded i eendw l n i nllfq a.

more clearly in FIGS. 2, 4, and This assembly includes a stop block that isindicated, generally, at 28. It may be formed of steel casting or it may be a steel forging, The stop block 28 has integral end portions 29 and 30' having upwardly facing surfaces 31 and 32 which are normally spaced, as indicated at 33 and 34 in FIG. 3, from the convex outer surface 15 ofthe outer race 14.of the roller bearing 13. The spacing indicated at 33 and 34 permits some relative movement between the axle journal assembly andthe stop block assembly 27.;However, the spacing is such that the axle journal assembly 11 is always main? tained in operative positionv in the journal box. 10. r

The construction of the stop block 28 isimportant. Adjacent the end portions 29 and 30 there are reduced iq nalhox 1. -.areu has ar snentth appl on-0f the stop block assembly 27. r

In order to take care of this situation the constructions shown in FIGS. 6-15 can be used. Referring particularly to the construction as shown in FIGS. 6-10 it will be observed that re-ference character 56. designates,- generally, a stop blockaassemblywhich comprises ,a stop block 57 that maybe formed of steel casting or may be a steel forging. The construction is generallysimilar to that of thest'opblock 28. The stop block 57 includes and-portions 58 and'59 which are recessed at 60'and 61 for'the'purpose of avoiding the use of unnecessary metal; Surfaces 62-- and 63 of the end portions' sssnd'w are spaced as sections 35 and 36 on opposite sides of a slot 40....The

slot 40 facilitates assembly of the stop block 28 in the journal box 10. The slot 40 is arrangedto receive a body 41 of a cap screw 42 which has a hexagonal ,head 43 and Ea threaded end which projects-throughan aperture 45 in the bottom wall 20. In order to prevent relative turning between the stop block 28 and the cap screw 42 a socket 46 is provided on the stop block 28. The socket 46is formed by a front shoulder 47 and upstanding rear lugs 49 and 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the hexagonal head 43 of the cap screw 42 fits into the socket 46.

The stop block 28 is formed initially with an arcuate under surface 51, FIG. 5, which has less convexity than of the stop block 28 is drawn downwardly into intimate engagement with the concave inner surface 21 ofthe bottom wall 20 as shown in FIG. 3.

In operation, prior to insertion of the axle journal .assembly 11 into the journal box 10, the cap screw 42 is inserted through the aperture 45 in the bottomwall 20. Its threaded end 44 then projects downwardly below the underside of the bottom wall20. After the axle journal assembly 11 has been inserted in the journal box 10, the stop block 28 is inserted through the lid opening 23. By

means of a suitable tool inserted through the access opening 24, the stop block 28 is moved rearwardly over the bottom wall 20 with the slot 40 opening rearwardly or toward the cap screw 42. The cap screw 42 is lifted by application of upward force to its threaded end 44 from I below the journal box 10 in order that its head 43 will clear the upstanding rear lugs 49 and 50 of the stop block 28 which is moved into its final position as shown in the various FIGS. of the drawings except that its undersurface 51 is spaced, as indicated in FIG. 5, from the inner surface while the tool holds the stop block 28 against movement, it being understood that the hexagonal head 43 is properly seated in the socket 46. The flexing of the stop block 28 is '21 of the bottom wall 20. Finally, the locknut 55 is applied I facilitated by the provision of the reduced sections 35 and 36 and particularly by the provision of the and 54;

When the construction shown in FIGS. 1-5'is employed, in certain instances the clearances may be such as to make it diflic-ult, if not impossible, to assemble the stop block 28 grooves 53 7' v iridicated'at 64 and 65 from the convex outer surface 15 of the outer race I4 of the roller bearing 13. Normally this spacing prevails but, under certain circumstances, the surfaces 62 and 63' may engage the surface 15 in the manner previously described. Adjacentthe end portions 58 and 59 are reduced sections66 and 67 in which grooves 68 and 69'are located to increase the flexibility of the stop block57. In order to permit application of the stop block 57, it is provided with a slot 72, FIG. 7, for receiving a body '73 of a cap screw 74. The cap screw 74 may bea standard one-half inch cap screw or bolt having a hexagonal head 75 and threaded end 76; r I

In accordance with the construction shown in FIGS. 6-10, provision is made for insertingfthe cap screw"74 fromunderneath the bottom wall 20o}? the railway car journal box 10. For this purpose an aperture 77 'is provided, the diameter of which is slightly larger than the maximum transverse dimension of the hexagonal head 75. This then permits the insertion 'of'the cap; screw 74 from'underneath the bottom wall 20. i I

In order to accurately position the stop block 57, it is provided with a depending locator flang'e 78 which, as shown in FIG. 8, is arranged to enter the aperture 77 and to position the vertical centerlineof the cap screw 74 offset from "the vertical centerline ofthe aperture 77. Underlying the bottom wall 20 is a flat washer 79 and a locknut 80 is threaded on the end 76 of the cap screw 74 to hold the assembly in place. The hexagonal head 75 is located ina socket 81' that is formed by a correspondingly shaped upstanding flange 82 that is integral with the stop block 57. e

After the roller bearing 13 has been-assembled in the railway car journal box 10 the stop block '57 is introduced through the lid opening 23 and is placedalong the upper surface of the bottom wall 20."Using a special tool inserted through the access opening 24, the stop block 57 is moved along the upper surface of the bottom wall 20 toward the aperture 77. In the meantime the cap screw 74 is inserted through the aperture 77 and is heldin the position as shown in FIG. 10 while the stop block 57 is moved to 'its final position where the depending locator flange 78 falls into the aperture 77 as shown in'FIG. 9. In this position of the stop block 57 and the cap screw 74in its lowered position, the. hexagonal head 75 is held against turning by theupstanding flange 82 forming the with the upper surface of the bottom wall 20." 1

The construction shown in FIGS. 11 -14 is-similar to that shown in FIGS. 6-10 with the exception that thestop block 57-is providedwith a dependi'nglocator flange 87 that is arranged to position the cap screw 74concentricalsly with respect to the aperture'77 rather thaneccentrically as in the construction as shown in FIGS. 6''l0.'- In'the cons'truction shown in FIGS.11 14thevertical-centerline of the cap screw 74 coincides with the vertical centerline of the circular aperture 77. A specially formed washer 88'is employed having an upstanding flange 89'which is circular in configuration. The application of the stop block 57 as shown in FIGS. 11-14 is similar to that previously described with the exception that, as shown in FIG. 14, the depending locator flange 87 positions the body 73 of the cap screw 74 concentrically with respect to the circular aperture 77.

As shown in FIG. 15, instead of employing the special washer 88, previously described, the flat washer 79 can be used for underlying the bottom wall 20 and overlying the lower end of the circular opening or aperture 77.

In the constructions shown in FIGS. 6-15, the locator flanges 78 and 87 fall partially into the respective opening 77 when first applied. When the nut 80 is tightened on the cap screw 74, the stop block 57 is drawn downwardly to the positions shown in FIGS. 8, 13, and 15.

The stop block 57 can be positioned on the bottom wall 20 with the slot 72 opening toward the lid opening 23. The cap screw 74 is laid on the bottom wall 20 with the threaded end 76 in the slot 72. Then the special tool is inserted through the access opening 24 against the head 75 to push the stop block 57 and the cap screw toward the aperture 77. First the locator flange 78 or 87 falls partially into the aperture 77 and then the threaded end 76 falls into it and the cap screw 74 rights itself on continued movement of the two parts to the operative position where the washer 79 or 88 is applied and the nut 80 is tightened.

FIGS. 16-23 illustrate how the stop block 57 can be secured in place by a Huckbolt pin of the type shown in US. Huck Pat. 2,754,703, issued July 17, 1956. Such a pin substitutes a deformable collar and annular grooves for the nut and thread construction of the cap screws 42 and 74 previously described.

FIGS. l619 employ a Huckbolt pin 86 having a hexagonal head 87 which is received in the socket 81 of the stop block 57. The body 88 extends downwardly through the slot 72, the aperture 77 in the bottom wall 20 of the journal box 10, and rectangular washers 89 and 90 which underlies the bottom wall 20. The lower end of the body 88 is provided with annular locking grooves 91 into which a collar 92 is deformed by a suitable tool.

FIGS. 20-23 show the stop block 57 with an integral upstanding flange 96 instead of the flange 82, previously described, that forms the socket 81. Here a Huckbolt pin 97 with a round head 98 is employed. Its body 99 extends downwardly through the slot 72, aperture 77 in the bottom wall 20, and a square washer 100. Annular locking grooves 101 on the lower projecting end of the pin 97 are arranged to receive a collar 102 which is deformed in place with the pin 97 under tension and the stop block 57 securely held in position on the inner'surface of the bottom wall 20.

I claim:

1. In combination, a railway car journal box having spaced side walls interconnected by a top wall and an apertured bottom wall having a concave inner surface, an axle journal assembly in said journal box having a convex outer surface, and a stop block assembly mounted on said bottom wall including: stop block means overlying said concave inner surface of said apertured bottom wall, normally spaced from said convex outer surface of said axle journal assembly, likely to be engaged thereby, and having a transversely extending slot intermediate its ends aligned with said aperture; a fastener extending through said slot and said aperture having a head reacting against the upper side of said stop block means and its lower end extending below said bottom wall, and holding means on said lower end of said fastener holding said stop block means in place on said bottom wall.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein: the undersurface of said stop block means has less convexity than the concavity of the juxtaposed inner surface of said bottom wall, and end portions of said stop block means extend above the portions thereof on opposite sides of said slot.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein means on said stop block means cooperate with said head of said fastener to prevent relative turning thereof.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said aperture in said bottom wall is such as to receive said fastener from inside said journal box.

5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein: said aperture in said bottom wall is such as to receive said head of said fastener from underneath said journal box, and a washer is positioned between said nut and the under.- side of said bottom wall and overlying said aperture.

6. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said fastener is a cap screw and said holding means is a nut threaded on said lower end.

7. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said fastener is a headed pin having grooves in said lower end and said holding means is a collar deformed onto said lower end and into said grooves.

8. In combination, a railway car journal box having spaced side walls interconnected by a top wall and an apertured bottom wall having a concave inner surface, an axle journal assembly in said journal box having a convex outer surface, and a stop block assembly mounted on said bottom wall including: stop block means overlying said concave inner surface of said apertured bottom wall, normally spaced from said convex outer surface of said axle journal assembly, likely to be engaged thereby, and having a transversely extending slot intermediate its ends aligned with said aperture; a cap screw extending through .said slot and said aperture with its head reacting against the upper side of said stop block means and its threaded end extending below said bottom wall, a nut on said threaded end of said cap screw holding said stop block means in place on said bottom wall, and means on said stop block means cooperating with said head of said cap screw to prevent relative turning thereof when said nut is tightened.

9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein the under surface of said stop block means has less convexity than the concavity of the juxtaposed inner surface of, said bottom wall and end portions of said stop block means extend above the portions thereof on opposite sides of said slot and are grooved to facilitate flexing thereof to bring said under surface of said stop block means into intimate contact with said concave inner surface of said bottom wall.

10. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said head of said cap screw is non-circular, and said means on said stop block means includes a non-circular socket to limit disengagement of said stop block means from said cap screw on loosening of said nut.

11. In combination, a railway car journal box having spaced side walls interconnected by a top wall and an apertured bottom wall having a concave inner surface, an axle journal assembly in said journal box having a convex outer surface, and a stop block assembly mounted on said bottom wall including: stop block means overlying said concave inner surface of said apertured bottom wall, normally spaced from said convex outer surface of said axle journal assembly, likely to be engaged thereby, and having a transversely extending slot intermediate its ends aligned with said aperture; a fastener extending through said slot and said aperture having a head reacting against the upper side of said stop block means and its lower end extending below said bottom wall, holding. means on said lower end of said fastener holding said stop block means in place on said bottom wall, and a flange on said stop block means extending downwardly into said aperture in said bottom wall.

12. The combination according to claim 11 wherein said depending flange is eccentrically located with respect to the center of said aperture.

13. The combination according to claim 11 wherein said depending flange is concentrically located with respect to the center of said aperture. 8

' 14. The combination according to claim 13 wherein a washer is positioned between said nut and the underside of said bottom wall and overlying said aperture. 15. The combination according to claim 14 wherein said washer has an upstanding flange extending into said aperture.

16. Stop block means for mounting on the apertured concave inner surface of a railway car journal box containing an axle journal assembly having a convex outer surface comprising an arcuate stop block having upwardly projecting end portions provided with surfaces for facing said outer surface of said axle journal assembly, a convex under surface for overlying said concave inner surface of said journal box, a transversely extending slot intermediate said end portions for alignment with the aperture in said concave inner surface of said journal box to receive fastening means therethrough, and means on the upper surface of said stop block forming an integral socket in align ment with said slot.

17. Stop block means for mounting on the apertured concave inner surface of a railway car journal box containing an' axle journal assembly'having a convex outer surface comprising an arcuate stop block having upwardly projecting end portions provided with surfaces for facing said outer surface of said axle journal-assembly, a convex under surface for overlying said concave inner surface of said journal box, a transversely extending slot intermediate said endportions for alignment with the aperture in said concave inner surface of said journal box to receive fastening means therethrough and a flange ex tending downwardly fro msaid convex under surface at the inner end of said slot for locating said stop block with respect to'said aperture in said concave inner surface of said journal box.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,061,385 10/1952 Horger et a. 308-3s MARTIN P. SQHYVADRONQ'Prima'ry Examiner F. SUSKO, Assistant Examiner. 

